The Omega Speedmaster Racing

Omega get it "oh-so-right" with the new Omega Speedmaster Racing watch, unveiled at Basel 2012. This fine, dapper sporty timer, with its understated styling, textured dial and flashes of vivid contrasting colours is so good that we think it could very well beat the rest and become one of the stars of the show!

Even if you don't intimately know this brand's portfolio, you will, perhaps be aware of the Speedmaster, also known as the "moon watch". First produced in 1957, it was declared to be the official chronograph of NASA in March 1965. Since then it has been released in hundreds of variations, many of which celebrate their space exploits - not his one though - this one celebrates Omega's links with motor racing.

Presented in a 40mm stainless steel case, the Speedmaster Racing continues the collection's heritage, like its predecessors it is readable, wearable and useable. On the dial, the 30-minute and 12-hour counters and the small seconds sub-dial feature textured "Clous de Paris" decoration. Hour markers and hands are lume coated and on the bezel, the aluminium tachymetric ring is matt finished. At 6 o'clock is a perfectly placed, sneaky little date window enclosed within the 12-hour counter. Variations are the superb grey/yellow edition shown here or with a grey/red or a grey tachymetric scale colourway.

Inside is the Omega Calibre 3330 column-wheel chronograph with the now-perfected Co-Axial escapement and silicon balance spring, but in case you've any doubts Omega also provide a confidence-boosting four year warranty with each piece.

The superb Omega Speedmaster Racing watch is water resistant to 100 metres and is available on either a stainless steel bracelet or a tactile black rubber strap.